How Do Mercado Pago QR Payments Work?

Mercado Pago QR payments let you pay at over 1,000,000 merchants across Argentina by scanning a QR code with the Peanut app. The merchant shows a QR code, you scan it, see the amount in Argentine pesos (ARS), confirm, and the merchant receives pesos instantly. No DNI or local bank account needed on your end.

What Is a Mercado Pago QR Code?

Mercado Pago is the most widely used QR payment system in Argentina. Merchants display a QR code at their point of sale, and customers scan it with a payment app to complete the purchase. There are two types of QR codes you will encounter:

• Static QR (printed sticker): A permanent sticker at the register or on the counter. You scan it and enter the payment amount yourself, or the merchant's system pre-fills it.
• Dynamic QR (on-screen): Generated per transaction on the merchant's screen or terminal. The amount is already set when you scan.

Both types work with Peanut. The payment experience is the same regardless of which QR format the merchant uses.

What QR Codes Does Peanut Support?

Peanut supports Mercado Pago QR codes only. Argentina has multiple QR payment networks, and they are not interchangeable:

• Mercado Pago QR: Supported. Both static and dynamic formats.
• MODO QR: Not supported. Different payment protocol.
• Cuenta DNI QR: Not supported. Incompatible format.

If a merchant displays multiple QR codes at the register, look for the one with the Mercado Pago logo. Most merchants in Argentina accept Mercado Pago, so this is rarely an issue.

How to Pay with Mercado Pago QR

1. 1

   Find the QR code at the merchant

   Look for the Mercado Pago QR sticker at the register, on the counter, or on the merchant's screen. Static QR codes are printed stickers; dynamic QR codes appear on a display.

2. 2

   Open Peanut and tap Pay

   Open the Peanut app on your phone and tap the "Pay" button. This activates your camera for QR scanning.

3. 3

   Scan the QR code

   Point your camera at the Mercado Pago QR code. Hold steady until the app reads it. Make sure the code is well-lit and fully in frame.

4. 4

   Review the payment details

   The app shows the merchant name, the amount in ARS, and the exchange rate from your digital dollar balance. The rate locks at this moment, so what you see is what you pay.

5. 5

   Confirm the payment

   Tap confirm. The merchant receives pesos instantly in their Mercado Pago account. You will see a confirmation screen with the merchant name, amount, and timestamp.

What the Merchant Sees

The merchant sees a normal Mercado Pago payment. They do not know Peanut is involved. From their perspective, a customer scanned their QR and paid in pesos, just like any other Mercado Pago transaction. This means there is no awkward explanation needed at the register.

Exchange Rate and Fees

Your Peanut balance is held in digital dollars. When you confirm a QR payment, the app converts digital dollars to ARS at the current market rate. The rate locks the moment the payment details appear on your review screen. There is no slippage after you see the amount, and Peanut charges no fees on QR payments.

In Argentina, this rate (the dolar cripto rate) is typically better than what credit cards or international ATMs offer.

If Something Goes Wrong

Most QR payments complete instantly, but here is what to do if you run into issues:

• Wrong QR type: If the app shows an error after scanning, you may have scanned a MODO or Cuenta DNI code. Ask the merchant for their Mercado Pago QR.
• Insufficient balance: The payment will fail if your balance does not cover the amount. Top up your balance and try again with the same QR.
• Expired QR: Dynamic QR codes can expire. Ask the merchant to generate a new one.
• Network error: If the payment fails mid-transaction, it is rolled back automatically. No money is lost.

For persistent issues, see the QR troubleshooting guide.